Encouraging Inclusivity Via Qualified Youth Leadership

To teach young people a basic set of social skills

, it is important to have a reliable pool of adults qualified in Youth Leadership. One particular aspect of modern society has caused this, namely the fact that children are developing Internet Technology skills at an early age. These skills are developed as they grow up, and are of course important to their employment prospects in later life.

There is, however, another side to this coin. Internet Technology skills are almost always based on solo activities in front of a PC screen. This can lead to the very real danger of a young person becoming isolated, spending long hours alone working or playing games without having any direct physical contact with others people.

This tendency to spend more and more time alone has a negative effect on basic social skills. Even taking part in competitive Internet based activities is still done in isolation, pitting ones wits against others whom one never meets in person.

Unless they learn how to interact with others, there is a strong likelihood that a whole generation of youngsters are now growing up with a total lack of any social skills. For this reason, it is imperative that we consider what we can do to provide the leaders needed to develop these skills, and develop training programmes which will make youth leadership an attractive career choice.

Unpaid, well meaning amateurs with a social conscience have always been the main source of youth group leaders. Of these, the best known is probably the Scout Association, with over 60,000 leaders providing a varied programme of activities for almost half a million young people in the UK alone. There are also many church based organizations, including the Boys' (and Girls') Brigade, and cadet branches of the Armed Forces.

In recent years it has been acknowledged that this role has become more important and relevant to the development of a fully rounded and balanced individual. Courses are run at colleges and universities which lead to National Vocational Qualifications, or NVQ's.

Following a series of unfortunate events, legislation was introduced to make Police Criminal Record checks a required preliminary for anyone wishing to work with children. These apply to professionals such as teachers and clergymen, and also to amateur volunteers such as the leader of the local Scout troop or youth club.

There is a worrying trend in falling membership figures of voluntary organizations across the board, combined with a growing reluctance amongst adults to commit themselves to the responsibilities involved in running Scout troops and other voluntary youth groups. PCR checks have also undoubtedly had a negative influence on youth leadership candidates, and it is now more important than it has ever been to ensure that properly trained and qualified leaders continue to be found in order to ensure that young people continue to acquire the social skills necessary for a balanced and harmonious society.

by: Brian Klemmer

POST COMMENT

Leadership Skills: Those That Are Essential Today Know Basic Information On Leadership Skills Leadership by Peter Senge 5 Leadership Mistakes You Need to Avoid The Leadership Skills Needed For Keeping Up With The Competition The Influence Of Leadership On Student Life And Community Practical Strategies For Leadership Skills To Help You Succeed On Thinking Of Entering The Labyrinth Of Leadership Enhancing Your Leadership Leadership Development Program Through Sun Tzu Art Of War Best Leadership Development Information Available Develop True Leadership Qualities Establishing "smart" Goals For Student Leadership Development